SEDGWICK—USD 439 has four four-year term positions up for election in November. The positions are currently held by Paulette Ware (Pos. 1), Open (Pos. 2), Michele Rowley (Pos. 3), and Shawn Chapman (Pos. 7). Seven people—Paulette Ware (Pos. 1), Wade Hansen (Pos. 2), Beth Sharbutt (Pos. 2), Dwight Wilkes (Pos. 2), Lee Bakker (Pos. 3), Lori Kasney (Pos. 3), and Shawn Chapman (Pos. 7)—have registered to be on the ballot.
Harvey County Now reached out to all of the candidates with the same questionnaire. Below are the responses received.
Paulette Ware
Occupation: Chemist
Why are you running?
My family has lived in Sedgwick since my son, Brylie, started kindergarten 21 years ago. We specifically moved to Sedgwick because of the schools. We wanted a small school district for our children to be educated and for them to be able to take part in any activity or sport. The community of Sedgwick nurtured, loved on, and supported our kids, Brylie & Shae, from K-12th grades. I want to be able to give back to this school district and serve the community with a voice for kids, parents, and taxpayers.
What qualifies you for this position?
I live in the district. I care about the education of all children. I love this community. I am willing to be a part of the Board of Education and work together with the other elected officials to make Sedgwick Schools the best that we can make it.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I want to continue the changes I see being made in USD 439. We have a positive staff environment and teachers that are incredible at their job. The children are being empowered to learn and to become good citizens of the USA. I would like every parent to know that I am in their corner and will fight to keep USD 439 a school that engages parents and helps parents be involved in the kid’s educational experience. We need parents to help us.
What do you see as the biggest need for USD 439?
Great teachers are the key to a good education. We need to be able to recruit, hire, and keep great teachers in Sedgwick Schools. That means an administration that supports teachers, a positive working
environment, benefits, and good wages. We are one of the top districts for teacher’s salaries compared to districts our size. We need to keep moving the bar higher for all staff.
What do you think will be the biggest opportunity for USD 439 during your term, if
elected?
The biggest opportunity for USD439 will be if we can stand out from the other schools. Parents want a school where their children will succeed in many different ways: in the classroom, on the debate stage, finding career paths, or even on the sports field. If Sedgwick is succeeding, then our kids will be in a place to succeed. Sedgwick Schools will need to take some bold steps to be able to stand out and maybe do things differently than we have in the past. Students need to know that Sedgwick Schools will help them succeed in life and give them tools to dream big. I encouraged my kids to dream big, so I want that same opportunity for all of Sedgwick students. The 2024-25 school year will be open for
parents to choose Sedgwick or somewhere else. I want Sedgwick Schools to be the choice for our community’s kids and kids coming from out-of-district.
Dwight A. Wilkes
Why are you running?
I want to run for the school board because my primary focus is on the children and ensuring they receive the best education possible. As a parent and a member of this community, I believe it’s our duty to provide our children with the tools they need to succeed in the future. I’m also passionate about accountability in education. I believe that the school board plays a crucial role in ensuring that the resources allocated to our schools are used effectively and that our students are getting the education they deserve. By running for the school board, I want to be a voice for both the children and the community, advocating for transparency, excellence, and accountability in our education system.
What qualifies you for this position?
My qualifications make me an excellent candidate for the school board position. My age, reflected in my gray hair, brings a wealth of life experience and wisdom to the table. Having served as a public safety officer, I’ve honed the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals and communities. These skills are directly transferable to the school board role, where thoughtful decision-making is paramount for the educational growth and security of our students. My unique blend of experience positions me to contribute effectively to the betterment of our schools and the future of our children.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
My goal is to bring positive change through enhanced accountability, better support for teachers, and focus on the well-being of our students. Accountability ensures that our educational resources are used effectively and transparently, resulting in a higher quality of education for our children. I believe in providing teachers with the support, training, and resources they need to excel in their roles, fostering an environment where they can inspire and educate effectively. Additionally, I aim to prioritize the holistic well-being of our students, creating an atmosphere where they feel safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. By championing these changes, I envision a school system that empowers both educators and students, fostering a vibrant learning community that prepares our children for success.
What do you see as the biggest need for USD 439?
In my view, the most pressing need lies in addressing the bond project’s successful implementation while proactively preparing for the looming teacher shortage and harnessing the power of technology in education. The bond project requires diligent oversight to ensure that allocated funds are utilized effectively, resulting in improved facilities and resources that benefit both students and teachers. Anticipating the teacher shortage, I believe it’s imperative to develop strategic recruitment and retention plans, offering incentives to attract and retain talented educators. Simultaneously, embracing technology is crucial for preparing our students for the future job market. By integrating technology into classrooms, we can enhance learning experiences, equip students with essential skills, and create an environment where innovation thrives. Tackling these challenges head-on will create a more resilient, forward-looking district that equips both teachers and students for success in an evolving educational landscape.
What do you think will be the biggest opportunity for USD 439 during your term, if elected?
The most significant opportunity during my tenure, if elected, is selecting a superintendent of impeccable character, strong moral values, and exceptional communication skills. This pivotal decision will set the tone for the entire district, impacting students, teachers, parents, and the community at large. In choosing a superintendent who embodies these qualities, we can foster a positive school culture, built on trust, transparency, and collaboration. Moreover, appointing a superintendent committed to the long-term success of our district will provide stability and consistency in leadership. This will enable us to implement strategic plans and initiatives that yield sustainable improvements over time, positively impacting student outcomes and overall community engagement. A superintendent who is in it for the long haul will ensure continuity and guide our district toward continued excellence, making this a unique and powerful opportunity to shape the future of education in our community.
Lee Bakker
Occupation: Director of Data & Analytics @ Koch Industries
Why are you running?
I’m running for the school board because I believe in the power of education to shape the future of our community. As a father of a 3rd and 6th grader, I’ve seen the incredible potential that lies within our students, teachers, and schools. However, I also recognize that there are challenges that need to be addressed to ensure our education system is providing the best possible opportunities for every child.
What qualifies you for this position?
I have a passion for education and its ability to impact our community. I have over 20 years of experience partnering with diverse stakeholders through effective communication, collaboration, and productive dialogue. With proven decision-making and problem-solving skills, I can bring a balanced and principled approach to enhancing our educational system.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
My primary goal is to create a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive. I want to work collaboratively with parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to ensure that our schools are not just places of learning, but also hubs of creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth.
What do you see as the biggest need for USD 439?
The biggest need for USD 439 is retaining its top teachers and staff. By prioritizing the retention of experienced and skilled educators, the district can ensure continuity in the quality of education and maintain a positive learning environment. This focus on retaining top talent will ultimately benefit both students and the community.
What do you think will be the biggest opportunity for USD 439 during your term, if elected?
Leveraging technology to enhance education and connectivity. Integrating modern tools can personalize learning, provide wider access to resources, and improve communication. This approach not only prepares students for the digital age but also streamlines administrative tasks and enhances collaboration.
Lori Kasney
Occupation: Utilization Review Coordinator
Why are you running?
I am running for the school board because I want to help facilitate the school down a path that is financially responsible to the taxpayers, dutiful to the education of students, welcoming to our own community, and respected by all who interact with our district.
What qualifies you for this position?
I am an active member of the community, an involved parent, and strong supporter of our school system. I have a unique point of view in that I graduated from, previously worked for, and currently have children attending USD 439. I have a thumb on the pulse of the school and a track record of being someone who is open to hearing concerns and working to find solutions.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I want to be a bridge builder, connecting our community with the school, the school board with the teachers, the teachers and coaches with the parents, and so on. If everyone is connecting it produces an environment where community members can be confident in financial and scholastic decisions and students can get a great education while feeling good about coming to school every day.
What do you see as the biggest need for USD 439?
Open communication. There is always the need for new technology, classes, activities, staff training, etc. The best way to know how we can improve on things is to have open communication with those who have recommendations and ideas. Fostering communication between all parties involved with our school district can only be beneficial for our students.
What do you think will be the biggest opportunity for USD 439 during your term, if elected?
Our biggest opportunity will be to capitalize on the bond project in every possible way. Using the upgraded facilities to keep existing families as well as attracting new families will help build our tax base. Additionally, it will be a catalyst for us to attract candidates for the impending opening of the Superintendent position. Finding someone with the qualifications, experience and a willingness to commit to our school district is one of the most important decisions the school board can make.
Shawn Chapman
Why are you running?
I have a strong desire to serve my community in any way that I can.
What qualifies you for this position?
I’ve made a career out of serving the public and with my experience in local government it feels like a natural fit. I currently help manage taxpayer money in my professional life and have always felt a great deal of responsibility to the taxpayers. I believe in a common sense approach in all aspects of our district.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
Our goal as a school board should be that we have 100% student success academically. I hope to provide an environment that promotes opportunity for each and every student that comes through our district.
What do you see as the biggest need for USD 439?
The biggest need currently for our district is stability. Our staff and students have had some challenges while working through our bond construction. They have proven to be resilient and positive with the disruptions. We will undergo a superintendent search later this year which will be an important hire for our district. Our interim superintendent and leadership team have worked very hard this year to promote stability.
What do you think will be the biggest opportunity for USD 439 during your term, if elected?
I believe there will be many opportunities over the next few years. For one, will have a new community workout facility open to the public on the school grounds. I think there will be opportunities to partner with local business to promote job shadowing for our students to give them workforce experience. There will be opportunity to continue to improve our school grounds and facilities to build sustainability for our staff, students, and our community.
Wade Hansen
Why are you running?
As a lifelong community member and father, of 3 children under 5 by Thanksgiving, I have a vested interest in the short and long-term success of USD 439! Being a member of the board would enable me to use my experience and knowledge to help steer our school in the right direction. Preparing our children and students for life after high school is of utmost importance. Developing and sustaining an environment to achieve this through academic growth and extracurricular experiences will be my focus as a BOE member.
What qualifies you for this position?
My personal and professional experiences have provided the tools necessary to be a valuable member of the BOE. I have graduated from Wichita State University and Friends University with an Industrial Engineering and Masters of Business Administration, respectively. In my professional career, I have managed a large organization for over 9 years. My career has allowed me to grow employees and establish an environment for the team to be successful. In my view, this is very similar to what the BOE should do for our students, teachers, and administration.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
If elected, I would like to see the district and city/community work better together to provide our students with the best educational and extracurricular experiences possible. Furthermore, I would seek to grow relationships with local industry to provide valuable experience and knowledge for students. These experiences will be invaluable for those students not interested in post-secondary education.
What do you see as the biggest need for USD 439?
The biggest need for USD 439 will be executing the completion of the recent bond project. The successful completion of the bond project will enable the teachers, administration, and BOE of the district to provide an outstanding learning environment for our students.
What do you think will be the biggest opportunity for USD 439 during your term, if elected?
During the upcoming term, I feel the biggest opportunity for USD 439 will be to leverage city, community, and industry partnerships to provide unique and influential opportunities and experiences for our students.
Beth Sharbutt
Beth Sharbutt notified Harvey County Now that she has decided not to run for the school board.
